You don't need to teach to interact

Completely agree with this, I have grown up with collies and spaniels and they would go stark crazy without mental challenges to occupy their mind; including games and tricks.

If my dogs did not show me they enjoyed these tasks then we wouldn't do that particular task anymore, tricks and games if done correctly are enjoyed by the animal.

I am not sure about the arguement that dogs "need" tricks to be stimulated? Is this to replace their natural instincts? E.g collies to herd etc
I just feel seeing a dog roll over or dance demeans the dpg

If the dog is enjoying it then why not

It's not for me personally - but when I've seen 'dancing' dogs they've always looked really enthusiastic and both owner and dog seem to have a great bond

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

Urm - don't guide/disability dogs perform tricks every time they turn on a light, fetch the post? They are all taught like tricks...Well they would be tricks for my dog as I am not blind/deaf/disabled but to some of those people they do serve a purpose.

Doesn't challenging your dogs intelligence make for a better household?

My dog would have this house to shreds if he wasn't taught tricks to keep his mind busy and tonight he has taken part in a demo at class.. and he enjoyed every minute of it, he loves having an audience.. He had a foot injury and couldn't go out for walks for 2 weeks - so I taught him to open drawers and fetch me a tea towel.. useful for me, mental stimulation for him..

HTM is not a trick, it is not like dancing bears, it isn't cruel - how many of those dogs have been beaten to do that, how many walk around with a "I've been beaten" look on their face? Most of these tricks may serve no purpose, but it builds the relationship with your dog and tbh without teaching Louie tricks my relationship with him would be quite frankly sh!t! It is something fun for us both and not only engages his mind, but I have to engage mine to think up new things, refine things and think how to train things..

I disagree completely, my dog would not be fulfilled and we wouldn't have a happy relationship if I only taught sit, stay, leave, down and retrieve.. what a boring life your dog must have if you think like that..(probably shouldn't have said that but let loose at me - not bothered )

Oh and my dog is trained (low level might I add) in both obedience and gundog work - we are going to carry on with these (when I find a gundog trainer) so he is doing what he is meant to do, however I will still carry on with mentally stimulating him with "meaningless tricks" that "serve no purpose" just 'cos I can

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I train my dog to do tricks, although I don't think I'd enter competitions. However Ollie loves learning and he adores doing tricks. Once his treat bag come out with his clicker, his tail wags and he starts offering behaviours, which obviously shows he enjoys this interaction and training, and the fact he offers behaviour means he wants to learn and wants to do these tricks.

You can never over train a dog, unless you train the dog to do something dangerous or the dog is clearly not interested in advanced training (however I think in the latter case, its finding what does interest your dog in training).

Also, do you think dogs shouldn't be trained to be sniffer dogs, or police dogs? Or do you think dogs shouldn't be trained to do agility, which most dogs enjoy once introduced to it?

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

I’m pretty sure from the dog’s perspective its ALL “tricks”
They don’t have the same sense of “dignity” that we do - certainly mine don’t, if they did, I’m thinking they wouldn’t roll in coyote poop or dead deer guts...

If you train in a way that empowers the dog, the more you train the better IMO. It all builds the bond between dog & owner, makes spending time together meaningful, builds communication, and provides mental stimulation for the dog.

My dogs are clicker trained, and they LOVE seeing the clicker come out. They really don’t care what they learn how to do as long as they get to spend time training. Sure, much of what we train is “useless”, but the bond I build and strengthen with the dogs when I train is priceless.

they dont need tricks but i do think some need something to occupy their time or they get bored . i have never considered rollover or dancing to be demeaning , i dont think its quite the same as wild animals that are caught and used as entertainment . for the record my dogs dont rollover or dance but thats just because its not something i tried to teach , not because i felt that for whatever reason they were "bad " things to teach .

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I agree but it does seem imo a very good and enjoyable method to do so, I fail to see why some don't like it? Storm certainly enjoys it.

Jack Russells go bonkers if they don't get to use their immense brain power. How else do you suggest I stimulate her mentally then?

If you see it as demeaning to the dog you're anthropomorphizing because dogs don't feel demeaned or humiliated like humans would

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